We already know that you can get something like the Kobo Vox or Kindle Fire for $200, but they’re not really in the same kind of Android tablet league as their more expensive counterparts. Archos is breaking the Honeycomb price barrier today, though, with the unveiling of the Archos 70b Internet Tablet. This is the first Honeycomb Android tablet to sell for under $200.

Set to ship with Android 3.2 Honeycomb, the Archos 70b is powered by a 1.2GHz processor and 512MB of RAM to go along with its 1024×600 capacitive touchscreen display. And yes, it has full access to Android Market, not restricting you to a smaller app store. Rounding out the key specs are WiFi, a 3D graphics acceleroator, microSD expansion, and HDMI output.

That’s the good news. That bad news is that it won’t be arriving in time for you to stuff it under the Christmas tree. The Archos 70b Internet tablet with Android 3.2 Honeycomb hits retailers in January with an MSRP of $199.

]]>http://www.mobilemag.com/2011/12/20/archos-70b-first-honeycomb-3-2-android-tablet-under-200/feed/0BlackBerry Bold Smartphones get NFC, OS7 and Touchscreenhttp://www.mobilemag.com/2011/05/02/blackberry-bold-9900-9930/ http://www.mobilemag.com/2011/05/02/blackberry-bold-9900-9930/#commentsMon, 02 May 2011 22:20:38 +0000http://www.mobilemag.com/?p=116911If you were just to look at the new BlackBerry Bold 9900 and Bold 9930, you probably wouldn't think much of them. They look a heck of a lot like existing Bold phones, except that they happen to be a fair bit thinner at 10.5mm. However, it's the stuff under the hood that'll have RIM fans interested.

]]>If you were just to look at the new BlackBerry Bold 9900 and Bold 9930, you probably wouldn’t think much of them. They look a heck of a lot like existing Bold phones, except that they happen to be a fair bit thinner at 10.5mm. However, it’s the stuff under the hood that’ll have RIM fans interested.

For starters, Research in Motion is sticking to its NFC commitment by plunking the wireless tech into these two phones. They’ll also come pre-loaded with the new BB OS7, which includes a full version of Docs to Go, as well as improve browsing, voice searches, and other tools.

The Bold 9900 and 9930 are powered by speedy 1.2GHz processors to better match all the super fast Android phones out there. Everyone is doing at least 1GHz these days. Aside from that, you get the same old trackpad and QWERTY keyboard, but the regular display has been swapped for a 2.8-inch touchscreen. A 5MP camera with 720p support rounds out the package.

Yes, they might not look all that different from the Bold 9700, for example, but these new Bolds carry a few extra tricks for the enterprise-leaning crowd. The 9900 handles tri-band HSPA+ and GSM/EDGE, whereas the 9930 goes for dual band CDMA/EV-DO Rev.A, dual-band HSPA+, and quad-band GSM/EDGE.

]]>http://www.mobilemag.com/2011/05/02/blackberry-bold-9900-9930/feed/0Freescale’s new i.MX 6 processors to make quad core smartphoneshttp://www.mobilemag.com/2011/01/04/freescales-new-i-mx-6-processors-to-make-quad-core-smartphones/ http://www.mobilemag.com/2011/01/04/freescales-new-i-mx-6-processors-to-make-quad-core-smartphones/#commentsTue, 04 Jan 2011 17:35:52 +0000http://www.mobilemag.com/?p=111739In the on-going quest to do more with less, Freescale Semiconductor continues to deliver what we need to power our mobiles, tablets, and other infotainment appliances. The Austin-based manufacturers have announced the launch of their i.MX 6 series of quad-, dual- and single-core applications processors for 2011.

In the on-going quest to do more with less, Freescale Semiconductor continues to deliver what we need to power our mobiles, tablets, and other infotainment appliances. The Austin-based manufacturers have announced the launch of their i.MX 6 series of quad-, dual- and single-core applications processors for 2011.

With up to four ARM Cortex A9 cores chugging at 1.2GHz each, they’re packing more than five times the power of their current generation of processors. And hitting the right notes on power consumption, Freescale reports the i.MX 6 series can deliver 24 hours of HD video playback and 30-plus days of device standby time.

Freescale is strategically targeting the fastest growing segments of the consumer market with this launch as they pair their super-powered processors with eReaders, tablets, smartphones and the increasingly common automotive infotainment systems.

“Our i.MX 6 series offers consumers the novel and uncompromised online experiences they demand from next-generation connected consumer electronic products,” said Bernd Lienhard, vice president and general manager of Freescale’s Multimedia Applications Division. “Low power, cost efficiency, enormous processing headroom and unmatched compatibility are at the heart of the i.MX 6 series.”

Last but not least, the line interconnects with MDNI 1.4, GbEthernet and USB 2.0 but for some reason no USB 3.0. That said, with an open-ended “later this year” time frame there’s always room for future improvements in this and coming generations.

“The i.MX 6 family provides OEMs with a power-efficient, scalable, and software-compatible solution that meets the demands of a wide range of consumer and embedded applications.” Integrating one, two or four ARM® Cortex™-A9 cores running at up to 1.2 GHz each, the i.MX 6 series delivers up to five times the performance of Freescale’s current generation of applications processors. This performance provides additional headroom for unbounded user experiences in next-generation tablets, eReaders, smartphones, automotive infotainment systems and other exciting consumer and automotive products.

Potential applications include mobile devices featuring 3D video playback, desktop-quality gaming, augmented reality applications and content creation capabilities – all delivered in ultra-sleek form factors and with significant battery life advantages over many of today’s most popular mobile devices.

“Our i.MX 6 series offers consumers the novel and uncompromised online experiences they demand from next-generation connected consumer electronic products,” said Bernd Lienhard, vice president and general manager of Freescale’s Multimedia Applications Division. “Low power, cost efficiency, enormous processing headroom and unmatched compatibility are at the heart of the i.MX 6 series.”

The i.MX 6 series targets several of the fastest-growing application spaces in the consumer market. According to industry analyst firm In-Stat, standalone eReader shipments will grow from 11.5 million units by the end of 2010 to 35 million in 2014, while the firm’s forecast for mobile Internet tablets projects shipments to reach approximately 58 million in 2014, up from 13.7 million in 2010.

Scalability across single-, dual- and quad-core products is a hallmark of the i.MX 6 series. Common SoC IP building blocks enable series-wide software and development tool compatibility, while integrated power management capabilities, a broad range of integrated I/Os, and pin compatibility within package families reduce overall product complexity and development costs. Coupled with planned support for consumer, auto and industrial temperature requirements, the i.MX series offers OEMs fast time-to-value, enabling the rapid creation of complete end-product portfolios that can adjust and scale to meet evolving market demands and requirements.

“With the i.MX 6 series, Freescale offers the broadest and highest performance family of products based on ARM® Cortex™-A9 technology of any vendor in the mobile processor segment,” said Jim McGregor, chief technology strategist at In-Stat. “The i.MX 6 family provides OEMs with a power-efficient, scalable, and software-compatible solution that meets the demands of a wide range of consumer and embedded applications.”

Continuing to build on its advanced low-power design expertise, Freescale’s i.MX 6 series features industry-leading power consumption for demanding applications such as HD 1080p video playback. The i.MX 6 series can deliver up to 24 hours of HD video playback and 30-plus days of device standby time. Integrated power management capabilities reduce the need for external PMICs and help to ensure only those components required for a task are powered.

The i.MX 6 series is distinguished further by being one of the first applications processors to offer hardware support for the VP8 codec. “By incorporating VP8 compression technology into its advanced new i.MX 6 series of applications processors, Freescale is setting the pace for the consumer industry,” said Jani Huoponen, hardware product manager for the WebM Project. “This hardware-based VP8 implementation gives Freescale customers the benefits of fully accelerated WebM support and outstanding performance.”

The product series is comprised of the single-core i.MX 6Solo, dual-core i.MX 6Dual and quad-core i.MX 6Quad processors. Key technical features of the series include:

Support for one of the broadest ranges of major operating system platforms in the industry

Optional integration of an ePaper display controller for eReader and similar applications

Availability

Freescale plans to begin sampling i.MX 6 series devices later this year. Easy-to-use solutions come with complete reference designs, software and turnkey development technologies that simplify design. For more information about the i.MX 6 series, please visit www.freescale.com/imx.

About Freescale Semiconductor

Freescale Semiconductor is a global leader in the design and manufacture of embedded semiconductors for the automotive, consumer, industrial and networking markets. The privately held company is based in Austin, Texas, and has design, research and development, manufacturing or sales operations around the world. www.freescale.com.